Marigold and Oliver Introduce “Smiles All Around” It didn’t take long for Marigold to decide that she wanted to be a spokes model. And, Oliver? He’d like to star in his own movie. In preparation for their major breakthrough, the two have been busy honing their modeling skills. Their new line of cards, “Smiles All Around,” is designed to bring a spark of joy—and yes, a smile to your face! Take a look at the promo sheet! [click here] The cards are 5x7 and blank inside for your own message. Exceptional Innovations is selling the Papillon and Japanese Chin greeting cards. Visit the Exceptional Innovations website [www.exinn.net] for more information, or download an order form here. For the greeting cards, Jean Hacken, owner of Expressions 3 [www.expressions3.com], spent the day photographing Marigold and Oliver. According to Jean, who has photographed many animals, she was impressed with how the camera loves Marigold and Oliver. “They are such naturals!” Jean remarked. “And so professional. You would think they had done hundreds of these shoots!” Jean has been professionally photographing animals for years so this is quite the compliment! Jean plans to do more photo sessions with Marigold and Oliver—including photos for a new book with them in the future! Two of the new cards feature illustrations of a Papillon and Japanese Chin. The silhouettes were created by Schon Gross, who owns DogLeggs (www.dogleggs.com) a company that produces therapeutic garments for animals. Schon also makes a line of up-scale tote bags that feature these silhouettes, along with those of many other breeds. They make great gifts—in fact Marigold and Oliver gave Jack Russell, Toy Fox Terrier, Shih Tzu, and Corgi silhouette bags as holiday presents last year. Schon also designed the black leather vest that Oliver is wearing in one of the greeting cards. Marigold and Oliver Pose for Calendar Photo by PawPrints Photography Marigold and Oliver made their professional modeling debut in the 2007 calendar entitled, “The Associates.” Produced for Warger, Eavy & Associates, each calendar month featured a different photo of Marigold and Oliver. Robin Burkett, award-winning photographer and owner of PawPrints Photography (www.pawprintsphotography.com) took the photos of Marigold and Oliver. Our Michigan friends particularly liked the September shot in which Marigold and Oliver were decked out in their University of Michigan sweatshirts, sitting on a Big House stadium blanket. Tiger and Tiki-Gifts that Keep on Giving! Tiger says, "I always wanted to be wrapped up as a present. Imagine the person's face when they see me smiling at them amongst the ribbons and wrapping paper!" Tiger just got his wish. Animal Antics, Inc., a great company that specializes in sending gift baskets for pets and their people friends, is featuring Life Through Tiki's Eyes, With Comment By Tiger in one of their gift baskets! Tiki particularly likes the barkin' good homemade treats that owner, Diane Kapfhammer, makes for those very special baskets. Baskets are dog dishes filled with colorful toys and tasty treats wrapped in festive packages. Already, Tiger is making a list of special occasions just right for sending baskets: · Christmas for Cousin Brandy. · "Welcome to the Neighborhood" for Aunt Jane's new puppy. · Happy Birthday to Trouble, our walking partner. "Gifts are fun to give-and receive!" Tiki tells us. Next time you are looking for a unique and imaginative gift, consider sending a basket from Animal Antics. Email: aanticsbaskets@aol.com Phone: 703-409-8892 Tell them Tiki and Tiger sent you! Zookeeper's DogHouse Names Tiki and Tiger's Web Site "Pet Favorite" Tiki and Tiger love visitors. So when they found out that their web site had been named the Zookeeper's "Pet Favorite" for the week of November 27, 2002, they were elated! "Now more people will know about us!" exclaimed Tiger. After their week in the cyberspace spotlight, Tiger and Tiki will move to the Zookeeper's "WWW Friend's" pages. Tiger and Tiki are hoping that the zookeeper will introduce them to many new friends. The Zookeeper's DogHouse has lots of fun and interesting resources. And tell the zookeeper, "Tiger and Tiki sent you!" Life Through Tiki's Eyes-Top Story of 2001 Imagine our surprise when we opened the Reston Times newspaper and found our story named as one of the top news stories of 2001! We were very proud that a story as positive as ours could make the top 10! Just goes to show how a little love can go a long way. Check out the story. Tiki and Cousin Joey Share Accommodations Strategies To Help Canines Who Cannot See Navigate the Environment Tiki's cataracts have spread to cover her left eye completely and her right eye about 50 percent. "Blindness is an interaction with people who can see," Tiki explains. "It's very much about how sighted people can accommodate those of us who can not see into their world in ways that still honor our independence and gifts. It's about expanding our relationship so that we find new ways to be together." Tiki's cousin, Joey-a 14 year old Jack Russell Terrier mix who lives with diabetes-agrees. "Though my sight is impaired, my world continues to be wonderful because my human companions and brothers and sister make sure my disability does not interfere with our life! I still take walks, play games with my brothers and sister, and run in the backyard." Both Tiki and Joey know that the loss of sight does not have to lessen the quality of one's life. "Human companions can do a lot to help us grow into this new sightless phase in our lives," Tiki says. "So what you need are seeing eye people!" muses Tiger. "Why, yes, Tiger! That's what our human companions can do for us! Be our eyes!" says Joey. "So, Tiki, what are some things your human companions do to accommodate your blindness?" "First and foremost," stresses Tiki. "Focus on my strengths and not my weakness. I am still a terrier, so I need to run and play. I need activity, not confinement. I am still Tiki!" Tiki recommends that if you see blindness as an affliction, change your belief. "I still can feel, hear, and smell!" "And taste," chimes in Tiger. "Not seeing certainly has not limited your trips to the dinner table!" "The point is that I am still whole. I am still me. I still have a lot of love inside to share," Tiki points out. "Speaking of food, make sure that it is nutritious." Joey tells us that her human companions work with the veterinarian to ensure she has a healthy diet. "Just like humans, we are what we eat. Make sure our diets are rich in the nutrients we need to be strong and healthy." "Joey, don't you take eye drops for your eyes?" Joey nods. "And medicine for my diabetes." "Then, it also is important to check the labels very carefully," Tiger asserts. "Every time you get a new prescription, read the label. Your life may depend on it!" Tiger knows-he almost died this past year when a pharmacist mislabeled a bottle of medicine. "Care should be taken to make sure that everything is in the same place," Tiki adds. "Always leave the water and food bowls in the same place." "It probably would help too if Dad didn't leave his shoes sitting around," Tiger cautions. "You know, the last thing you want is to trip into something!" "That's right, Tiger. In fact, if you do move things like furniture, make sure you allow enough time for your canine companion to learn the new arrangement," says Joey. "I remember when my human brought in a new sofa. I needed some quiet time, without everyone in the room to learn how to move in the new environment. It helped to have my human friend there guiding me." "So is that why you rub your back against the furniture, Tiki? Are you marking it by your smell?" asks Tiger. "I always thought you were just looking for a back rub." "Yes, I like to know everything is still where it is supposed to be. Smell helps me navigate-especially in the dining room, where chairs are often not pushed back in under the table," explains Tiki. "Stairs can be a real challenge." Joey describes sailing off the deck steps. She lost her footing and went tumbling, head first, into the yard. Luckily, she was unhurt. "But, being startled is no fun!" Joey recommends carrying or walking canine companions down steps. "And, when new people are around, make sure we are close to you," Tiki adds. "Being little is hard enough with lots of humans milling around. But, not seeing can make it even more challenging. Imagine being under foot of people who do not know you are there. How can you predict where they will step next, especially if you cannot see?" "And, because of all of the new smells and movements, it can get overwhelming-even if you can see!" sympathizes Tiger. "Humans can really help us out, in general, by staying close or giving us permission to go to a quiet, safe place-like our human's bed! Oh, how I love to sleep on their pillows!" "And, it's not just new people who can pose challenges. When we go into new environments-like taking walks-it is important to remove any obstacles in our paths, like branches on the walk," Tiki says. "It's starts with making a commitment to seeing the world from our perspective." So, let's summarize: · Have a can-do attitude. Find ways for your friend to continue living a wonderful, happy life with you. If your friend can no longer run and chase balls, substitute another activity-and enjoy it just the same! · Make sure the water dish and food bowl are always in the same place. · Leave furniture in the same place. If you must rearrange and/or move things, give your canine companion support in learning the new environment. · Protect your friend from potentially dangerous situations. Close off staircases and do not leave your friend in a "high" place (e.g., chair, bed) from which he or she must jump to get down. · Stay close to your friend when visitors are around. Provide a safe place for your canine companion to retreat. · Read labels of all prescriptions before giving to your canine companion. If in doubt, call the veterinarian! · Be on the look out for potentially troublesome situations. For example, be observant on walks and move any branches or other obstacles out the way. Watch for us underfoot. · Remember: You don't need sight to cuddle! Pets still feel very good. Tiki and Tiger Featured in New Stores Across the Country Now you can find Life Through Tiki' s Eyes, With Comment By Tiger at the Hub of the Now Age store and the Sedona Kid Company Store, both in Sedona, Arizona. The book also is being featured in personalized gift baskets at The Snobby Dog Boutique in Chagrin Falls, Ohio. If you are in the area, check them out! Tiger (and Tiki) Appear In Maltese Magazine! According to Tiki, “Tiger’s head is so big right now it fills up Bennington Hollow!” Why is this? Tiger and Tiki have just appeared in the summer 2001 issue of The Maltese Magazine, a trade magazine that captures Maltese in all of their adorableness and elegant stature. The quarterly magazine features articles on care, showing, breeding, medical, and general information for Maltese exhibitors, breeders, trainers, and individuals who love their Maltese companions. Life Through Tiki’s Eyes, With Comment By Tiger was the featured book review. The review was accompanied with a photo of Tiger and Tiki. “Tiger may not be a show dog, but his love shines through.” Tiki says. “He is a true celebrity among the Maltese champions who grace the magazine pages.” Tiki adds, “Of course, I also think it’s pretty cool to be the first featured Yorkie in The Maltese Magazine!” Check out the Maltese Magazine web site! Tiki and Tiger Help Children Become Authors Have you talked about a good book lately? After conducting successful author workshops, Tiki and Tiger decided to share their ideas for helping teachers and parents write with children. Using Life Through Tiki’s Eyes, With Comment By Tiger, Tiki and Tiger developed a series of activities that not only help children write, but also develop an understanding of different perspectives. The activities were featured in the September 2001 issue of Afterschool Extensions, a publication that provides ideas for including children with differing abilities in afterschool programs. We've included it here. Let us know if you try the ideas-we’d love to read your stories! You can also download Tiki and Tiger's After School Extensions article in PDF (3 pages - requires Acrobat Reader) New Distributors for our Book Life Through Tiki’s Eyes, With Comment By Tiger is now available on Borders.com. Barnes and Noble also has accepted Life Through Tiki’s Eyes into its distribution center. This means that if you go into your local Barnes and Noble store and request a copy, they can get one for you. Look for it soon on Barnes and Noble.com.